Architectural Project Designer

About Wakefern

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, Fairway® and Gourmet Garage® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

About You

As a member of the Corporate Engineering team, the Project Designer will be responsible for providing store planning services and tasks for ShopRite stakeholders and Wakefern specialists to facilitate the construction and/or remodeling of supermarket facilities. The product of this service is communicated through CAD generated technical/drawings, sketches and tabulated support data.

A successful candidate must have the ability to work in a fast paced environment, be self-motivated and work in a team environment. In this role, you will interact extensively with ShopRite Store Owners, engineering/construction team members, field associates, outside architects/engineers and Wakefern’s in-house merchandising team. Communication and coordination with all these stakeholders is essential to achieve the desired supermarket plans.

Essential Functions

• Overall knowledge of retail store design development based on previous work experience with and exposure to architectural, engineering and construction teams.
• Proven experience with creating CAD generated technical drawings and sketches.
• Effectively communicates with members, outside vendors and other Wakefern departments to build relationships which result in successful retail store projects.
• Understands site plans. Has the ability to thoroughly survey stores to verify existing conditions.
• Ability to create complete, dimensioned supermarket fixture plans from sketches and/or conceptual information.
• Previous experience with creating store lighting plans.
• Ability to check and review shop drawings, submittals and construction documentation.
• Reviews décor drawings as they relate to interior/exterior elevations of new and existing stores.
• Communicates positive and negative impacts, including budget constraints of executing various design elements.
• Consults as needed with members during implementation of store design projects.
• Attend job meetings as necessary.
• Ability to work a 4 day in store or office hybrid schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in an Architectural or Engineering discipline, building technology concentration preferred.
• Two to Five years of professional architectural design or engineering experience required.
• Proficiency in the following areas such as; mathematics, basic algebra, project recordkeeping, blueprinting copying equipment, Windows, AutoCAD 2024 (or higher).
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills; ability to lead important meetings and establish actionable expected outcomes. Comprehends and conveys information clearly and effectively. Strong presentation skills are a plus.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to decipher data from various sources, formulate conclusions and make sound decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Strong problems solving skills are required.
• Conveys strong business acumen, uses sound judgement and decision making skills to manage job responsibilities.
• Some travel required to various ShopRite stores. Occasional overnights may be required based on geographic store locations.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Ability to monitor computer screens for long periods of time
• Ability to drive long distances and sit in a car for extensive periods of time
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule (4 days in-person/1 day remote) as established by the division